In our life everybody asks himself: Who am I? The answers to that question generate everyone’s self-perception which will be always part of one’s identity. The latter is one of the major themes appealing in Leslie Marmon Silko’s "Ceremony" and this seminar paper will focus on the two characters Tayo and Rocky. They show the problems occurring for persons that are “caught between two worlds”. Tayo feels ashamed of himself because of his white ancestry. His cousin Rocky, on the other hand, is a full-blood Indian, but does everything to be a part of the “white world”. Both are somehow caught in the middle because of living in-between.
The first part of the paper will focus on demonstrating the development of these two major characters in Ceremony. It is an important section because “[in] essence, the individual’s actions and character define his identity” (Jenlink & Townes 2009: 127). Therefore, to analyze Tayo’s and Rocky’s identity or search for it, one has to examine their life career and relations with other persons because “[…] a person’s identity is [also] influenced by others recognition of that identity […]” (Jenlink & Townes 2009: 127).
This seminar paper will also focus on the similarities and distinctions between the two mentioned characters and the topic identity including the associated term hybridity, for example. The reasons for the accurate analysis of Tayo’s and Rocky’s characteristics by comparison are their different philosophy of life and searching for identity. Living in a reservation unfolds a unique way of life which differs from the lifestyle of the White’s. Therefore, it creates further hurdles for Tayo and Rocky, but “[this] search for identity […] is a social as well as an individual problem. The kind of answers one gives to the question Who am I? depends in part upon how one answers the question What is this society? - and this world - in which we live” (Lynn 1999: 14)? One has to be able to define his position in the world. This is why this topic also represents a problem of today’s people. There are still humans that are caught between two worlds because they are of mixed descend and were unsuccessful in the search for the sense of belonging. The reasons are sometimes the same like 50 years ago.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The progress of Tayo and Rocky in Ceremony
- 2.1. Tayo the culture hero
- 2.2. Rocky - the symbol of a changing generation
- 3. Characteristics of Tayo versus Rocky
- 3.1. The similarities between Tayo and Rocky
- 3.2. The distinctions between Tayo and Rocky
- 4. Identity in Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony
- 4.1. Tayo's search for Identity
- 4.2. Hybridity in Ceremony
- 4.3. Relational Identity in Ceremony
- 5. Conclusion
- 6. Bibliography
Objectives and Key Themes
This seminar paper analyzes the search for identity in Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony, focusing on the characters Tayo and Rocky. It examines their individual journeys, comparing and contrasting their experiences and approaches to finding a sense of self within the context of their mixed heritage and the societal pressures they face. The paper also explores the themes of hybridity and relational identity as they relate to Tayo and Rocky's struggles.
- Identity formation in the context of cultural hybridity
- The impact of war trauma on identity
- The search for belonging and community
- The role of traditional and non-traditional healing practices
- The relationship between individual and collective identity
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central theme of identity and its complexities, particularly as experienced by individuals caught between two worlds. It introduces the main characters, Tayo and Rocky, highlighting their contrasting experiences as a mixed-race Native American and a full-blooded Native American respectively, both grappling with issues of belonging and self-perception within a society shaped by colonialism and war. The chapter lays the groundwork for analyzing their individual journeys and the broader themes explored in the novel.
2. The progress of Tayo and Rocky in Ceremony: This chapter explores the development of Tayo and Rocky throughout the narrative, focusing on their individual struggles. While the provided text focuses primarily on Tayo's experience, it introduces his post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from his time in World War II and his complex relationship with his mixed heritage. His experiences with traditional and non-traditional healing methods are briefly touched upon, setting the stage for a more detailed examination in later chapters. The chapter alludes to Rocky’s attempt to assimilate into the dominant culture, creating a contrast with Tayo’s journey.
3. Characteristics of Tayo versus Rocky: This section, based on the provided text, would delve into a comparative analysis of Tayo and Rocky's personalities, experiences, and approaches to life. It would highlight their similarities and differences in navigating their identities, considering their shared heritage and contrasting responses to the challenges of their environment. The differences in their philosophies of life and their respective searches for identity would be explored in detail, potentially focusing on how their choices reflect their different understanding of their culture and place within it.
4. Identity in Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony: This chapter would offer a comprehensive exploration of the theme of identity within the novel. It would analyze Tayo’s search for self-understanding, examining the factors influencing his identity formation. The concept of hybridity would be discussed as a central aspect of his identity, along with relational identity – the impact that other characters and their interactions have on shaping his sense of self. The chapter would consider how Tayo's journey reflects broader questions of belonging and cultural identity within a post-colonial context.
Keywords
Identity, hybridity, relational identity, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cultural identity, Native American, colonialism, war trauma, healing, Ceremony, Leslie Marmon Silko, Tayo, Rocky, Laguna Pueblo.
Frequently Asked Questions: Leslie Marmon Silko's *Ceremony*
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This seminar paper analyzes the search for identity in Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony, focusing on the characters Tayo and Rocky. It examines their individual journeys, comparing and contrasting their experiences and approaches to finding a sense of self within the context of their mixed heritage and the societal pressures they face. The paper also explores the themes of hybridity and relational identity as they relate to Tayo and Rocky's struggles.
Who are the main characters discussed in the paper?
The paper centers on two main characters from Ceremony: Tayo and Rocky. Tayo is presented as a mixed-race Native American dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from World War II and struggles with his cultural identity. Rocky, in contrast, is depicted as attempting to assimilate into the dominant culture, providing a foil to Tayo's experience.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of *Ceremony*?
The key themes explored include identity formation in the context of cultural hybridity, the impact of war trauma on identity, the search for belonging and community, the role of traditional and non-traditional healing practices, and the relationship between individual and collective identity.
What is the structure of the academic paper?
The paper is structured into six chapters: an introduction, a chapter detailing the progress of Tayo and Rocky, a chapter comparing and contrasting their characteristics, a chapter focusing on identity within Ceremony itself, a conclusion, and a bibliography. Each chapter summary is provided, offering an overview of the content discussed within each section.
How are Tayo and Rocky’s journeys compared and contrasted?
The paper compares and contrasts Tayo and Rocky's experiences, highlighting their similarities and differences in navigating their identities, considering their shared heritage and contrasting responses to the challenges of their environment. Their differing approaches to life and their respective searches for identity are examined to show how their choices reflect their different understandings of their culture and place within it.
What specific aspects of identity are examined in the paper?
The paper examines several facets of identity, including Tayo's search for self-understanding, the concept of hybridity as a central aspect of his identity, and relational identity—how interactions with others shape his sense of self. The analysis considers how Tayo's journey reflects broader questions of belonging and cultural identity within a post-colonial context.
What are the keywords associated with this academic paper?
The keywords include: Identity, hybridity, relational identity, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cultural identity, Native American, colonialism, war trauma, healing, Ceremony, Leslie Marmon Silko, Tayo, Rocky, Laguna Pueblo.
- Quote paper
- MA Daniel Schroeder (Author), 2012, Caught between two worlds. Identity in Leslie Marmon Silko’s "Ceremony", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/284378
